Indonesia and Russia Strengthen Maritime Technology Partnership to Advance Shipbuilding and Shipping Industry
Indonesia is strengthening its ambitions to modernize its maritime industry by pursuing a strategic partnership with Russia, focusing on maritime technology transfer, shipbuilding investment, workforce development, and industrial collaboration. The initiative is expected to enhance Indonesia’s domestic shipbuilding capabilities while increasing its competitiveness in the Southeast Asian shipping market.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said the proposed partnership would help accelerate the modernization of Indonesia’s maritime sector by upgrading local shipyards, improving technical skills among the workforce, and promoting joint shipbuilding projects. According to the minister, cooperation with Russia presents an opportunity to attract investment, facilitate advanced technology transfer, strengthen maritime manufacturing, and expand joint production in the shipping industry.
He emphasized that Indonesia’s growing demand for maritime infrastructure, combined with Russia’s expertise in commercial ship design, marine engineering, and advanced propulsion systems, creates a strong foundation for long-term industrial cooperation. The collaboration is expected to support Indonesia’s broader strategy of developing a more competitive and resilient maritime economy.
As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, with more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia relies heavily on maritime transportation for domestic logistics, fisheries, offshore energy operations, and inter-island connectivity. Strengthening its shipbuilding sector is considered a key step toward improving national maritime infrastructure and supporting economic growth.
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The Industry Ministry noted that Indonesia and Russia possess complementary strengths that can contribute to building a stronger regional shipping industry. While Indonesia offers an expanding industrial base and one of Southeast Asia’s largest maritime markets, Russia brings decades of experience in designing and constructing a wide range of commercial and specialized vessels.
The ministry also highlighted that opportunities for bilateral maritime cooperation have grown following the signing of the Indonesia–Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement. The agreement is expected to encourage greater trade, industrial investment, technology exchange, and long-term partnerships between Indonesia and member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Speaking in Yekaterinburg, Director General for Industrial Resilience, Regionalization and International Industrial Access Tri Supondy said stronger collaboration would create mutual benefits by combining Indonesia’s expanding manufacturing capacity with Russia’s advanced maritime technologies and extensive shipbuilding expertise.
The proposed partnership reflects Indonesia’s long-term vision of becoming not only a major maritime market but also a leading regional center for shipbuilding, marine technology, and sustainable maritime industrial development.
